Another significant change is on the horizon for Apple, as Brazil has mandated that the tech giant must allow sideloading on iOS devices within the next 90 days. This ruling follows similar mandates in other countries, where Apple has already had to comply. The company plans to appeal the decision, but the clock is ticking.
For those unfamiliar, sideloading refers to the ability to download and install apps directly onto a device, bypassing the official app store. This practice has been common among Android users for years, utilizing APK files to install third-party applications. However, Apple has historically resisted such changes, valuing the controlled environment of its ecosystem.
The issue of sideloading gained prominence following Epic's lawsuit against Apple over five years ago, which highlighted the tech giant's stringent control over app distribution. Apple's primary argument against sideloading centers on privacy concerns, a stance they've maintained consistently. In 2022, Apple's App Tracking Transparency (ATT) changes further stirred the gaming industry by requiring developers to seek user permission for advertising, which impacted user profiling and drew regulatory attention.
Despite these privacy-focused initiatives, Apple continues to face pressure to open up its platform. In regions like Vietnam and the European Union, the trend towards more open ecosystems is becoming increasingly evident, suggesting that Apple's days of maintaining a tightly controlled environment may be numbered.
While Apple navigates these challenges, if you're eager to explore new gaming options, don't miss our list of the top five new mobile games to try this week, featuring exciting releases from the past seven days.